Islanders News

Zigmund Palffy Announces Retirement

Former New York Islander Zigmund Palffy announced his retirement from professional hockey Wednesday after a 20-year playing career in North America and Europe.

Palffy, 41, was selected by the Islanders in the second round (26th overall) of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. He broke into the NHL in 1993 and played on Long Island until the 1998-99 season. The Skalica, Slovakia native led the team in goals and points in three consecutive seasons from 1995-98, setting career highs in goals (48) and points (90) during the 1996-97 campaign.

In six seasons with the Islanders, Palffy posted 331 points (168 goals, 163 assists) in 331 games. His 0.51 goals per game with the Islanders rank fourth in franchise history, while his 1.00 points per game are good for fifth.

Palffy played 684 NHL games over 12 NHL seasons from 1993-2006 with the Islanders, Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins, totaling 713 points (329 goals, 384 assists) during his NHL career. He left the NHL following the 2005-06 season to play with HK 36 Skalica in Slovakia. Last season, he scored 73 points (26 goals, 47 assists) in 39 games.